Figs For Jalapenos!

Today has been great. After we did our morning chores outside I came inside to check my e-mail and I am so glad that I did, because my dear friend Mari, who we were later meeting for lunch, in Kerrville, had sent me one, asking if we liked figs, because if we did, she wanted to trade us some of her figs for Tony's jalapenos. So, I shot her back an e-mail telling her that we would love to trade figs for jalapenos, then I jumped into the shower to get cleaned up.

Tony and I love Mari and getting to have lunch with her is one of our most favorite things to do and after we have lunch with Mari, I always wish that we could do it more often, because on a scale, from one to ten, with ten being the highest, of "Favorite Things To Do"—she's a twelve.

Before leaving the rescue ranch, Tony quickly handpicked a fresh crop of his jalapenos for Mari and then he loaded up two dog crates, in the back of Buttermilk, then we took off for Kerrville.

Our lunch today with Mari was a total blast. When she arrived two minutes after we got there, she was carrying a large white box and a gigantic, plastic bag filled with the biggest figs that we've ever seen and before she sat down, Mari handed me the heavy box and said, "I have one and I bought this for you, because you love Roy Rogers as much as I do."

When I opened up the white box, I was instantly thrilled at what I saw. It was this beautiful 399 page book, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans: It Was Always The Music, a celebration of Roy and Dale's singing cowboy B-Western era of country-western music, by Eric van Hamersveld, authorized by Dale Evans Rogers, Roy "Dusty" Rogers, Jr., and the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum! "Mari, I love this. It is so beautiful. Thank you, so much!" Then our waiter appeared and interrupted me, so he could take our order. (Mari and I ordered the exact same thing from the menu, except she requested Charro beans, instead of the refried beans that I ordered.)

"I knew you would love it, since you have started playing your guitar again, " Mari said. "It has every song, from all of their movies, with the music and lyrics and it is filled with movie pictures that you're going to love and..."

Because Mari is one of the most well informed, intelligent, humorous women that I have ever met, she and I were either talking or laughing non-stop, about dogs, the importance of buying Made In America products, politics, music, The NoMads, figs, jalapenos, West Texas, Terlingua, drivers license, tuna fish from Thailand, etc. and poor Tony hardly ever got to get a word in edgewise. And after two fun-filled hours had passed, Tone finally got to say, "Nance, it's nearly three o'clock and we need to get back to the ranch." Which totally shocked Mari and me, that so much time had passed, because we were having so much fun.

"Tony, will you please carry my book for me, because it is so heavy?" I asked. "And the figs."

While T. was gone to put our giant sack of figs and my newest, favorite book inside Buttermilk and getting Mari's jalapenos for her, Mari wanted me to listen to this great song, No One Kisses Their Horses Anymore. So when Tony joined us, we chuckled as we listened to it, standing in the parking lot. Then we adios-ed each other and left.

Our next stop was just down the street at Hoegemeyer Animal Clinic, to pick up Hank Williams, Sr. and Jackie Kennedy Onassis, so we could bring them home. And Hank, the handsome Yellow Labrador barked, I mean, serenaded us all of the way home.

When we got back to the rescue ranch, I took these pictures of Hank, wearing his temporary lampshade and not knowing what to think about it and cute, little Jackie O. 

Early this evening, I went over to the Lodge to visit with Kinky and Marcie and I had a fun, one hour,  really enjoyable visit with them, before coming back home. And that is about it for tonight, because I plan to learn how to play a few Roy & Dale songs on my guitar, until my fingers are killing me and then read my newest, favorite book. "Thank you, Mari! I love my book!  Let's do lunch sooner than later!"

Y'all have a great evening!

I Love The Rose 99.9 FM!

Today has been great. This morning Jim, one of our great dog walking volunteers, came out and walked our dogs for us and the Hill Country's famous and favorite dog whisperer, Sharon Griswold, of "Rover Misbehaving?" came out and worked more of her magic on Annie Oakley!

When Jim took off for home and Sharon left to go give a private dog training lesson—our dogs were so happy and Annie has improved so much, she is starting to become one super cool dog, so I want to thank them for all of their good work. We thank you and love y'all!

After lunch the dogs started barking outside to let us know that someone was coming in, even though we already knew it was Gus, our beautiful black Labrador, being returned to us, so T. went outside to take care of it.

Twenty minutes later Tone walked back inside the trailer and said, "Nance, you should have seen it. Gus could not wait to get back in the pen and be reunited with Lois Lane. The minute I took him inside the pen Lois and him kissed each other and then they started playing. They are so happy to be back together. I hate to say it, but I am glad that Gus is back."

Around three thirty the dogs once again began barking outside to let us know that someone else was coming in, even though we already knew it was our good friend Harley Belew and his son Micah, coming out to help me with my Yeti microphone and to give me some tips on recording my audio book.

As soon as they got out of Harley's green truck we went into Outer Space and had a really fun visit with them, because Harley is so funny and he had us laughing from the git-go with his hilarious stories.

When my back started hurting from laughing so much we left Outer Space and went into my writing cabin aka now newly named—No Budget Recording Studio. After Harley sat down at my desk and began examining my THX Yeti microphone, that was hooked up to my laptop, I told him about the funny, practice recording session of me reading, "Flour Power" with my work-for-no-pay sound engineers, Ben and Tony. Then he put the headphones on and listened to it and laughed out loud.

"Nancy, it sounded good and I liked it to," Harley said. "The sound quality is very good and I think having the sound effects make for a more interesting audio book. And talk the way you talk with your accent, because it makes it more interesting to listen to,  and..." After hearing Harley's compliments and helpful recording tips—I was excited, because my confidence had returned about my ability to record an audio book, because Harley knows the radio business inside and out and he is the best at his craft. He owns two very popular radio stations and is Kerrville's favorite on air talk host.

After we shut down my recording equipment we decided to take up Kinky's offer to come visit him, so I suggested that we ride over to the Lodge and let Micah drive Kermit.  Harley's thirteen-year-old son was more than thrilled when Harley gave him permission to drive us, so we took off.

We had a fun visit with Kinky, as we sat outside, around the picnic table, as Harley and Kinky talked about Hank Williams, Sr. and shared stories about their famous musician friends, and then Kinky told us about the squirrel that had gotten inside the Lodge this morning and created havoc and we couldn't quit laughing.

Then Kinky invited us to go on a short hike with him and The Friedmans around the ranch and we took him up on that, too. And I am proud to announce that I didn't see one single snake or trip and fall down. After we returned safely back to the Lodge we adios-ed him and Micah drove us safely back over the river and through the woods to the rescue ranch.

Y'all have a great evening!

The War Of The iPods!

Our trip officially started at 6:30, when we picked up Carol at her ranch. When Silver pulled up to her house, I said to Tony, “I sure hope she doesn’t pack like us—there’s hardly any more room left in the back. I hope that we don’t have to rent a trailer!”

Tony agreed with me, and then we were really relieved when Carol came out of her house— with two very small bags! Tony got out of the SUV to open up the hatch, so Carol could stowaway her tiny ‘Must Have Collection,’ in the back with our pile of ‘Never Leave Home Without It Necessities!’

When Carol jumped inside the backseat, she was already laughing, because her two great, giant dogs, wanted to go with her, and they had tried to jump into the back, but couldn’t because it was too full—with Tone’s and my gigantic stack of NLHWIN! Carol’s laughter set the mood for our Tuesday-Wednesday Vacation!

During our four and a half hour drive, the three of us talked a lot, but we laughed more, as Garmina, Tony’s new Garmin GPS—that I had named—kept interrupting us! “Tone,” I said.” Garmina is more of a backseat driver than me! I love...”

Then Garmina interrupted me, and said, “In point five miles turn left.”

When we reached the ferry, to hop over, to our first island—Port Aransas, we laughed in amazement, as Garmina showed us on the ferry— floating in the water, and remarked, “In point two miles exit ferry.” Tony obeyed her—I was jealous!

When we reached the boathouse, Rick and John were there to greet us, in a matter of minutes! After introductions, hugs and handshakes Tony and I held our breaths as he opened up the rear hatch with our NLHWIN! Rick was great about it, he pulled out his cell phone and said, “Let me call a barge to bring your stuff over to the island.” We all laughed! And with the help of John and Rick, the Boston Whaler was loaded in ten minutes or less! Then the four of us took off for our next island!

Once we were out of the harbor, Rick cranked the excelarator— and we took off like a rocket—flying through the waves! Carol, John and I sat on the backseat, and laughed the whole way to the island with the Lighthouse!

Leisa, Rick’s better three-quarters, met us at the dock to greet us! After introductions and hugs, Rick took off to get a giant cart, so we could load Carol’s small collection and T.’s and my titanic necessities!

The party began after Rick had called Kinky, and I had talked to Kink, after we had unloaded our stuff! Tony and John wanted to fish, so we all gathered down on the dock, and visited while the fish escaped being caught! After an hour of ‘no-bites,’ Rick wanted to show us the Ark, where he is a volunteer, that rescues injured seaturtles, dolphins, birds etc.! Here is a picture of T.'s fish, Rick and Carol and John and Leisa, with Leisa's new rescued dog—Squirt!



The Ark was really impressive! Rick gave us the Grand Tour, and we saw all kinds of turtles and birds in recovery—soon to be released back into the ocean or the air. After that, we walked over to The Flats, a favorite local bar, and drank a beer. Then we went back to the boat and boarded up. Here is a picture of a boat that’s name made me laugh out loud!

Once again, we slowly went through the harbor, and then Rick cranked the Boston Whaler and we laughed our heads off, as John and I held our caps in hand, and Tone held on tight to his cap and rail. I made a video clip of it, and it is posted on the sidebar ‘Cousin Nancy’s Favorite Videos.’

When we returned to the island, I grabbed our portable iDock, my iPods and the music began to flow, as Leisa and Rick prepared dinner for us! And, that’s when ‘The Battle of the iPods’ commenced!

After playing some Dylan, Dwight and The Grateful Dawg songs, T. decided that it was his turn, while I was in the kitchen visiting with Leisa! Suddenly, Hank Williams is singing—what? Tony then began playing his music—one song after another! It was good, but not as good as mine was!

So, when he went to the restroom, I switched iPods and began playing my music again, which made me happy! When Tony returned to the living room—he was wearing a frown on his face. No fish, and now no music from his iPod. To avoid a disaster, after playing a few more songs, I put T.’s iPod back on the dock. And, that is when Rick, Captain Rick—took off to go pick up Kelly and Pete and bring them back to the island! There is a video clip, I took of them arriving on the island, with Pete’s dog, Thelma, on the sidebar.

We had a great time visiting with Kelly and Pete, but they couldn’t stay for dinner, because Pete had to get back to Port A—so he could rehearse with the band that he is in—Alias Hart & Jones. Unfortunately, Captain Rick had to return them to Port A—too soon!

Leisa and Captain Rick served us up one fine dinner! We’re talking delicious baked Tofu, which was to die for, Tuna steaks and the best rice pilaf that I have ever eaten! Leisa gave me the recipe for her baked Tofu, and I cannot wait to make some—I loved it and sorta pigged out on it!

After dinner and a few drinks—Rick serenaded us with his mandolin, which we all enjoyed, and then he persuaded me to play guitar—big mistake on his part! I didn’t play very well, like I always do, but it was fun!

Y’all have a great evening!

To Be Continued...(Because Rick just called me and he is going to bed real soon.)